Brockville soccer season cancelled

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There will be no house league or competitive soccer in the city this spring or summer.

The board of Brockville Soccer announced on Friday that the 2020 season has been cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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The “difficult decision” was made following “careful consideration and discussion” by the board on several occasions, the organization indicated in a letter to parents and players.

“It should be noted that this decision did not come lightly,” stated the board, which added that the safety of all is the most important thing for the club.

It was a unanimous decision but difficult because of the board’s desire to provide youth recreational and competitive soccer opportunities, according to president Shannon Geraghty.

The season normally starts at the end of May and ends in early to mid-August.

Registration had been suspended early this spring, and the board indicated on April 22 that it was planning to make its decision on Friday.

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The letter makes reference to Premier Doug Ford’s announcement this week about certain businesses being permitted to open subject to adhering to health measures.

“While this is a great step forward, the reality of seeing any provision in the short term that would allow recreational sports with large gatherings and difficulty to social distance to commence, especially children, makes it difficult to plan for a season.”

Provincial emergency orders that include closing outdoor recreational amenities such as soccer fields have been extended to June 2.

Brockville council imposed a moratorium on events at city facilities until June 30. In a COVID-19 recovery plan adopted by council earlier this week, city staff wrote that it would be “impossible/challenging” to ensure public health directives on the coronavirus are followed at athletic fields.

There would be no ball or soccer league play unless the province were to allow it, the city report indicated.

Anyone who had registered for the 2020 Brockville soccer season will receive a refund or can request that the money be applied to 2021. The club is asking for patience as it processes all of the refunds.

The board offers thanks in its letter to “our heroic health-care workers on the front lines of the pandemic, essential businesses and workers, those stepping up to produce much-needed medical gear, and the regular people making extraordinary sacrifices to keep their families, friends and communities safe.”

The Brockville organization is still working on initiatives “to keep soccer alive in the community,” said Geraghty.

Minor soccer in Front of Yonge decided last month to cancel its 2020 season, although the club did not rule out the possibility of putting together a short program in Mallorytown later in the summer if the opportunity were to arise.